[lyngo]

Hi,

I hope this is the correct forum.  Two weeks ago I bought an Elantra Touring SE that came with factory installed rails.  I use the car frequently for transporting two 18 foot sea kayaks, each weighs over 50 lbs, and I drive far and fast with them.  I need to figure out whether adding Thule feet and crossbars (specifically Thule 45050 Crossroad Roof Rack System) to the rails will stress the factory installed roof system.  Any opinions?  Does anyone know many bolts hold the individual rails fore and aft to the roof?

Thanks very much for any advice. 

Lyn

[Lorian]

Thule.com recommends it as one of the three options for a 2010MY Elantra Touring with existing roof rails.

Fitting info here:

http://www.thule.com/~/media/Products/Classification_1_root/Image_Hierarchy/ImageFolder_175958/ImageFolder_176735/501554100__45050_45058.ashx

There is probably a warning there somewhere about have fast you can go and max weight, worth looking at www.thule.com and selecting USA then the elantra touring. I think you will have to select 2010 model year to get the one with the rails.

[lyngo]

Thanks for that, very helpful.  Interesting they say to take off the rack when it's not in use.  I was hoping to avoid that.

Lyn

[Surferdude]

Lyn, I use crossbars on my hatch (no rails) but in my experience most roof rack manufacturers recommend taking them off when not in use.
I have been transporting surfboards for over 20 years, using exclusively "Rola" racks which are made in Australia. They are similar in a lot of ways to Thule so I reckon there is no reason to take them off unless you are going through a car wash.
Mine never come off - had them on 6 cars.
Just check the bolts for tightness every year or so.
I assume the Thule bars extend out past the rails or I can't see you fitting two sea kayaks side by side. I can only fit one but my bars don't go out past the mounting points.

[lyngo]

Thanks for the help, I feel better about the racks holding up if I keep them on. 

I realized sometime yesterday that I'll need the 58" loadbars to carry both kayaks.